Sunday, October 24, 2010

Introduction

Obtaining an online qualification is starting to become more common. Dependent on the type of qualification, gaining an online qualification is far less demanding on the individual in comparison to standardized learning at a campus. This means that students have the ability to learn online without being in an actual classroom. This allows the student to have a one on one learning experience with their teacher/lecturer.

What is Studying Online?

Studying online is also known as Distance Education. Distance education is where students obtain education without physically being in a classroom so it gives the learner a similar type of study program but all course related work is being done off campus.

Advantages

One of the main advantages of studying online is the amount of time saved. Some people live with very busy schedules often find it hard to study inside outside of work and leisure times. Online study gives you give students the opportunity to study at home. Distance learning is mainly chosen for its flexibility in time.
Another important benefit from studying online is the fact that students can interact with their teachers via the internet and is possible for them to attend class at any time. A student could be half way around the world and still learn from a teacher in real time. Online programs increase participation among
When compared against other forms of study, online correspondence courses are considerably less expensive. Students that are attending an online course will not have the additional cost of buying textbooks and stationary. This is particularly more relevant for people living in remote areas for it could be expensive for traveling to campus through means of a car, train or bus.
Not being in a classroom is also an advantage for it means that there are no distractions that could be associated with traditional classroom learning. This allows the student to learn independently. Many children lose interest in learning for some students are sly and cannot ask questions to their teachers while in the presence of other students. For this reason, being out of a classroom environment is beneficial to many students.

Disadvantages

While there are many advantages to studying through an online course, there are also a fair number of disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages of studying online would be the fact that people enrolled in these courses will most likely need very constant access to a computer and the internet. This poses problems for people who do not own their personal computer. And even if they have a computer, it does not mean they have the required skills to use a computer. This disadvantage is more associated with the older generations who are not completely literate and are seeking to study online.
Another negative aspect to studying online for students could be the reality that their alone. All the study and course related work that they do will be while they are by themselves. There is no vital input from the student’s teacher or peers. Since students are not interacting with peers, this leaves them feeling social isolation because reduced social and cultural interaction can be a drawback. The impersonality, suppression of communication mechanisms such as body language and elimination of peer-to-peer learning that are part of this potential disadvantage is lessening with advances in communications technologies.
Online learning also comes with the added disadvantage of students putting off work. They do this because they feel they have no time limits or deadlines in which they have to submit their assignments or course related work. This makes the students procrastinate and ultimately not graduate because they were either too late or did not submit their course work. In order to succeed at online learning, people have to have some specific skills. They have to be self-motivated, responsible for their own learning and have good time management skills. If they do not have those skills, traditional classes may be a better choice.
The final disadvantage of online learning would be that the qualification gained through an online course is not as widely recognized compared with a qualification gained through traditional means. For some freshly graduated students it may be fairly difficult for the person who has completed such a course to find a job. Unfortunately not all employers acknowledge qualifications gained through an online course because the concept of obtaining a degree through an online course is relatively new.

Conclusion

Online learning is a relatively new concept and still has yet to gain common acceptance by people and more importantly by employers. There are many benefits that come with studying online. For people that choose to enroll in an online course they will be saving a lot of time and money. However, this does not mean anything if they are unable to find employment after they have completed their course. Online education still has some ground to gain if it is to ever become as widely accepted as studying through a university.

References

References

Mathews, S. (n.d.). What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Online Courses? Retrieved October 1, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-The-Advantages-And-Disadvantages-Of-Online-Courses?&id=317526

Towie, B. (2008, November 25). Distance learning on the rise. Retrieved September 30, 2010, from http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/learn/article/145589

White, K. (n.d.). Advantages and disadvantages of online education. Retrieved September 30, 2010, from http://www.1888articles.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-online-education-091e4p3s7z.html

Kuther, T. (n.d.). What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Education for Graduate Study. Retrieved September 30, 2010, from About.com: http://gradschool.about.com/od/distanceeducation/f/onlineadv.htm

Ghosh, S. (2007 , May 5). Advantages of Online Degrees. Retrieved September 28, 2010, from Suite101: http://www.suite101.com/content/advantages-of-online-degrees-a20567

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Assignment 1b

Online study gives many benefits such as letting people having the option to choose their study times. This is very helpful time challenged or working students. Also, it also reduces the time they spend getting to the campus of where ever they are studying. In addition, studying online also helps the teachers/professors mark assignments easier.

Ghosh, S. (2007 , May 5). Advantages of Online Degrees. Retrieved September 28, 2010, from Suite101: http://www.suite101.com/content/advantages-of-online-degrees-a20567

Online studies
come with advantages such as flexibility with learning sessions, cost efficient due to not needing to relocate for access to the campus, and documents are easily obtainable. But there are also disadvantages like employment issues where employers cannot validate the degree. Also, a problem with online studies is that the amounts of courses available are limited. Another problem with online studies is the communication with instructors/lectures would be limited to only emails so students would receive less assistance.


Kuther, T. (n.d.). What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Education for Graduate Study. Retrieved September 30, 2010, from About.com: http://gradschool.about.com/od/distanceeducation/f/onlineadv.htm

Studying online often comes with many benefits. Being able to set a time to study offers a significant advantage in comparison to college tertiary education where studying can only be done at certain times. However, studying alone is one noteworthy disadvantage that people have to take into account. There is an absence of interaction between student and teacher which means there is no form of discussion.


White, K. (n.d.). Advantages and disadvantages of online education. Retrieved September 30, 2010, from http://www.1888articles.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-online-education-091e4p3s7z.html

More students are starting to make use of distance learning programs because it way to study as well as looking after a family fulltime. Students are turning to distance learning because it is a lot more flexible on the students study time because most mature students don’t have time to sit in class or live in rural areas with minimum access to campuses.

Towie, B. (2008, November 25). Distance learning on the rise. Retrieved September 30, 2010, from http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/learn/article/145589


There are both advantages and disadvantages of online courses. We are in a whole new era of learning where everything is available on the internet. Although it is a rich source of knowledge, online learning is not for everyone. Since e-learning is all online/computer based, not everyone has access to a computer or a internet connection. Without internet or a computer, it makes e-learning almost impossible.

Mathews, S. (n.d.). What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Online Courses? Retrieved October 1, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-The-Advantages-And-Disadvantages-Of-Online-Courses?&id=317526